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Using the alternate preparer block feature, your firm can display different firm information on files and forms for different clients, based on the services you are providing for each client. 

• The Alternate Preparer Block is for firms that have a separate payroll business with a different name (i.e. Awesome Accountants for write-up or tax preparation work and Perfect Payroll for payroll work).
• It allows for one alternate name, EIN and address to be used for live payroll clients for payroll tax forms, such as 941s, W-2s, 1099s, state forms, and reports.

As an example, if your firm uses Accounting CS to handle write-up and after-the-fact payroll services for some clients and uses Accounting CS Payroll to handle live payroll services for others, you can use the alternate preparer block feature to display different firm information on payroll tax forms, Internet and magnetic media files, 1099 and W-2 forms, and new hire files for each set of clients.

See also: Information about Expired Licenses for Accounting CS, Accounting CS Payroll, and Workpapers CS (PDF)

Requesting the alternate preparer block feature

To request the alternate preparer block feature, email the Sales team at CS.Sales@ThomsonReuters.com.

Using the alternate preparer block feature

1. Choose Setup > Firm Information > Firm. When the alternate preparer block feature is active, additional fields are available in the Main tab.
2. In the Identification section of the Main tab, enter the appropriate firm name in the Alternate firm field and the appropriate EIN/SSN in the Alternate EIN/SSN field.
3. In the Addresses section, click the Selection button, select Alternate, and then enter the address to be used for the alternate firm information.
4. In the Phone and Fax Numbers section, click the Selection buttons for the phone and fax numbers, select Alternate, and enter the alternate phone and fax numbers.
5. Click Enter to save the alternate firm contact information.

Assigning an alternate header in NetFirm CS

If you have administrator privileges, you can add new header information and specify which staff and employees should see the alternate header information when they log into the portal. To do this, follow these steps.

1. Log into NetFirm CS.
2. Click the Administration button.
3. In the Utilities frame, click the Appearance button.
4. In the Alternate Header section, enter the URL for the alternate header.
5. Click the Select Users button and then mark the checkboxes for the staff members and employees who should see the alternate header information when they log into the portal.

For further information, see the Displaying an alternate portal header for specific users topic in the NetFirm CS help.

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